New survey shows how Bengals are wasting QB Joe Burrow's prime

The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the league's best quarterbacks in Joe Burrow. Now, can they give him a defense that consistently gets stops? 

The Athletic's Mike Sando published his annual QB tiers Monday. The survey grants anonymity to NFL executives and coaches for candor. The first tier features the top QBs, while the fifth tier has the worst.

"A Tier 1 quarterback can carry his team each week. The team wins because of him. He expertly handles pure-passing situations. He has no real holes in his game," wrote Sando.  

Burrow and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes were the only passers who were unanimous Tier 1 choices. A head coach compared the Bengals star to a four-time Super Bowl champion. 

"He is the closest thing to [former San Francisco 49ers star] Joe Montana that I've seen," the coach said, via Sando. "That is about as big a compliment I can give you as a quarterback."

Montana, however, had an elite defense. According to Sando, the 49ers allowed the league's fewest points during the 1980s. 

Burrow's Bengals, meanwhile, tied for 25th in the league in points allowed (25.5) last season. In 2023, the unit wasn't much better, ranking 20th in points allowed (22.6). 

That's one reason the Bengals have missed the playoffs for two straight seasons despite Burrow's efforts. In 17 starts last season, the 28-year-old led the league in passing touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,918), winning Comeback Player of the Year for the second time.

This offseason, the Bengals replaced former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo with Al Golden. The coaching change may not solve the unit's problems. 

The Bengals have yet to sign star EDGE Trey Hendrickson, entering the final year of his contract. The pass-rusher has said he won't play without a new deal.

Without Hendrickson, a subpar defense could become even worse. The Bengals played most of their defensive starters in a 34-27 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in their first preseason game. Eagles backup QB Tanner McKee went 20-of-25 passing for 252 yards and tossed two TD passes.

Burrow has hinted he could be in the MVP conversation in 2025. Until the Bengals defense improves, though, other QBs will be winning championships.